Nelson W. Bennett Diary, 1864
Sergt N. W. Bennett
Squadron "B" 6th
Mass Cavalry
formerly the 31st
Mass Infantry
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Jan.—Friday 1—1864
Have been to the Depot and got the meat cutter It has been a rainy day Signed a subscription paper to help Mr Mortimer signed one dollar Gave Stanton a deed of my right and title over home
Saturday 2
Went to the Depot. Got a letter from Mr Spooner of Southampton
Sunday 3
Been to meeting this afternoon had a Sabbath School concert
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Jan.—Monday 4—1864
Read a letter from Sergt Dodge of long Island Boston Harbor Paid Henry McBride 65 cts for fixing my pants
Tuesday 5
It snows all day. Went to Westfield on the 10½ train and came back on the one Oclock train Recd a letter from Sergt Spooner of Southampton
Wednesday 6
Recd a pamphlet from the Adjt Genl Went to Chester on the evening train Stayed at Gowdys
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Jan.—Thursday 7—1864
Came home from Chester rode with Gowdy to Huntington. Saw Hattie Dodge. Came from Huntington with Edwin Russell
Friday 8
Recd of Stanton Clark forty five dollars Recd a visit from Sergt Spooner of Southampton. Paid Geo Shurtleff $12.10 and took a receipt
Saturday 9
Recd a visit from Lucia Mrs Edwin Russell & Miss Lizzie Lewis. Went to the Depot with Sergt Spooner, Lucia and Mrs Lewis. Changed 62 dollars with Mrs Lewis for government money
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Jan.—Sunday 10—1864
It is very pleasant but rather cold Mrs Lewis is here. Have been to meeting this afternoon Went over to Edwin Russells in the evening had an introduction to Mr Stiles
Monday 11
Wrote a letter to Seth Bennett. Have been up to Mrs Lewises and to Edwin Russels. saw the Sherry Girls. Have been packing my things to go to New Orleans
Tuesday 12
Started for N.O. Saw Seth Martha & Mrs Cooper in Springfield Arived in NY at six oclock Stayed over night at the New England rooms 194 Broadway NY
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Jan.—Wednesday 13—1864
Bought my ticket for New Orleans paid sixty dollars for it. Sailed on the U.S.M. Steamship Yazoo at 3½ oclock P.M. Bought a cap at N.Y. for $2.50. The boat rocks some but not bad
Thursday 14
The sea is pretty rough and a good many of the passengers are sick I have not been sick yet
Friday 15
The sea is very rough to day I came near being sick. lay in my birth nearly all day. Wish I could have a letter from M.
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Jan.—Saturday 16—1864
Were off Charleston this morning. Off Florida at noon It is very pleasant Did not go to bed untill about eleven Oclock at night
Sunday 17
There is a nice cool breeze to day. Have been reading most of the day. Passed a vessell at three Oclock. Have thought of home a great deal. Wish I could see Marion to night
Monday 18
Passed the steamer Eagle last night. Has rained all day. Passed the Creole this afternoon. Have thought much of home to day.
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Jan.—Tuesday 19—1864
It has been rather rought to day. Arived off Key West at 7 oclock P.M. Have thought much of my friends to in Mass
Wednesday 20
Had a very pleasant day. Saw a school of porposes. Had a talk with the Captain of the boat Had all the sails all up
Thursday 21
Have had a very smothe and nice time to day have had a nice time to day
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Jan.—Friday 22—1864
Arrived at the mouth of the Mississippi River at eight O'clock A.M. Passed the forts at 12 Oclock Arived in N.O. at 8 O'clock. Stayed on the boat over night.
Saturday 23
Went to my regt in the Steam Cotton Press. Found Capt Fordham in Command of the Co Found them changed to Cavalry
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Sunday 24
Went on a grand street parade went most all over the city
Jan.—Monday 25—1864
Drawed my sabre and revolver and cleaned them in the forenoon and went on drill in the afternoon. had the chevrons put on my jacket
Tuesday 26
Drilled two hours in the forenoon & two in the afternoon Lt Morey returned from the North
Wednesday 27
Drilled two hours in the forenoon & two in the afternoon
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Jan.—Thursday 28—1864
Drilled two hours in the forenoon & two in the afternoon Went out on a pass in the evening wrote to Marion & to C.B. Hutchinson
Friday 29
Did not do anything except to go to dress parade Rec'd a letter from Martha Cooper dated Sept 29th 1863 Wish I could hear from Marion
Saturday 30
Drilled in the forenoon & cleaned equipments in the afternoon Had a mail but no letters for me
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Jan.—Sunday 31—1864
Went on street parade & inspection Am detailed as Stable guard for one week. Oh! how I want to hear from M.C.W.
Feb.—Monday 1
My birth day to day. Have been to work hard in the stable to day Have thought of home a great deal to day
Tuesday 2
Have not had much to do to day There was a mail steamer came in to day
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Feb.—Wednesday 3—1864
Have written to Lucia and Seth and sent a paper to Marion Has been rather cool to day did not get any letter by this mail
Thursday 4
Have written a letter home and sent a paper to Seth It is very pleasant to day the USM Steamship Creole arived
Friday 5
Recd. a letter from from Joseph Bennett dated Jan 24th. Oh! how I want to hear from Marion
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Feb.—Saturday 6—1864
The brigade has been presented a flag by the Ladies from Mass that are in N.O. it was presented by Gen Banks daughter
Sunday 7
Was relieved from Stable guard went out to ride in the afternoon Got a mail but no letter for me
Monday 8
Have had an inspection were inspected by Capt Hodges of Col Dudleys staff
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Feb.—Tuesday 9—1864
Went to review at Carrollton, did not get back untill most night
Wednesday 10
Had a mounted squadron drill in the forenoon and a regimental drill in the afternoon
Thursday 11
Went to Carrollton to have Battalion drill. Stayed all day. Oh! how I want to hear from home
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Feb.—Friday 12—1864
Drilled the saber exercise in the forenoon & had a mounted drill in the afternoon Col Gooding took command of the Regt
Saturday 13
Had a mounted drill in the forenoon & got ready for inspection in the afternoon. Drew a saddle bridle and feed bag
Sunday 14
Have been to inspection this forenoon Have written to Marion Wilcox & Joseph Bennett
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Feb.—Monday 15—1864
Went to Carrollton to drill and got caught in the rain Recd a letter from Lucy Bennett and one from Martha Bennett
Tuesday 16
Had a speech from Mr Wellington of Boston on Rev Mr Tiffany of Springfield Wrote a letter to Calvin B Hutchinson
Wednesday 17
Went to Carrollton to drill & stayed all day
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Feb.—Thursday 18—1864
Have not done any thing to day Have thought much of home & friends in Mass It is very cold and snows some
Friday 19
Have been to Carrollton to drill & did not get back untill almost dark
Saturday 20
Have had a mounted drill this forenoon Drew carbines this afternoon & got ready for tomorrows inspection
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Feb.—Sunday 21—1864
Had an inspection in the forenoon did not do any thing in the afternoon
Monday 22
Had a mounted drill. Wrote to Seth & Lucia Bennett It is election in La
Tuesday 23
Had a mounted drill. practiced firing on our horses
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Feb.—Wednesday 24—1864
Went on Brigade Guard. Drew me a horse. Sit up all night
Thursday 25
Did not do any thing in the forenoon Had mounted drill in the afternoon
Friday 26
Mounted drill all day Wish I could get a letter from Marion
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Feb.—Saturday 27—1864
Went to Carrollton to review Was reviewed by Gen Banks & daughter & Gen Lee
Sunday 28
Had an inspection in the forenoon Wrote a letter in the afternoon to Marion and one to Mrs S. Clark
Monday 29
Packed up ready to move at a minutes notice Moved in the afternoon 8 miles
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March—Tuesday 1—1864
Have not moved any to day. Camped across the river from Carrollton Recd a letter from Marion. an very glad to hear from her
Wednesday 2
Moved about 10 miles started at one oclock in the afternoon
Thursday 3
Marched about 15 miles to day Camped near a store & the boys went in whole hog
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March—Friday 4—1864
Started at 7 oclock Marched 32 miles Camped at Donaldsonville over night
Saturday 5
Marched 15 miles Went through Labordeville & Napoleonville
Sunday 6
Marched 20 miles
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March—Monday 7—1864
Marched 18 miles B Squadron on the advance guard Camped at Thibadaux
Tuesday 8
Marched from Thibadaux to Tigerville in the forenoon. Marched to Brashear 60 miles One horse dropped dead
Wednesday 9
Crossed the bay on the Steamer J.M. Brown Camped in an old cane field It is very rainy to day
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March—Thursday 10—1864
Marched about fifteen miles. Went past Bisland where we had our first battle last spring Stayed over night in some Negro houses. Wrote to Marion & Hannah
Friday 11
Marched four miles Camped at Centerville. Are going to stay three or four days. Got a letter from my Sister Hannah
Saturday 12
Have had an inspection to day. Were inspected by Capt Dean of Gen Dudleys staff
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March—Sunday 13—1864
Did my washing in the forenoon. One man of Squadron D was accidentaly shot through the head by one of their own men he died at night
Monday 14
Marched all of last night & all day to day Camped at New Iberia over night
Tuesday 15
Marched about twenty five miles
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March—Wednesday 16—1864
Marched twenty five miles Camped at Opelousas and B Squadron went on picket
Thursday 17
Squadron B was on picket last night did not start untill one Oclock Marched twenty miles Camped on a reb Capt plantation
Friday 18
Marched 20 miles and camped near the place where we stayed over night last year
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March—Saturday 19—1864
Marched 33 miles Camped on Gov Moores place. Got a lot of honey & chickens
Sunday 20
Marched through Alexandria. went four miles beyond and went into camp
Monday 21
The whole regt went on picket out ten miles. it rained and hailed very hard
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March—Tuesday 22—1864
Got relieved from picket and got back to camp just before dark. Have been sick all day
Wednesday 23
Have been excused by the Dr to day and have not done any thing except to take care of my horse Have thought much of home
Thursday 24
Am excused by the Dr Recd three letters one from Lucia one from Martha & one from Hutchinson. Wrote a letter to Mr Clark
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March—Friday 25—1864
Have not done any thing to day Have been excused by the Dr had a blister put on my side and it is very sore. Stayed in my tent the most of the day
Saturday 26
Were called up at three to march. Got started at eight oclock Marched 20 miles B Squadron on picket Am excused by the Dr
Sunday 27
Marched 7 miles and went into camp Went out 18 miles on a scout. killed one reb and took two prisoners
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March—Monday 28—1864
Stayed in camp all day. did not do anything Was sick all day Have thought much of friends at home
Tuesday 29
Marched at 8 oclock. Went into camp at noon One Division of Infantry passed us in the afternoon
Wednesday 30
Marched at 9 oclock B Sqdn was detailed to go ahead. started at 11 Oclock last night
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March—Thursday 31—1864
Marched 25 miles Skirmished with the rebs all the way. Killed a few & took about a dozen prisoners
April—Friday 1
Was detailed to help the Q.M. & to go with the teams after forage
Saturday 2
The whole division of Cavalry went on a reconoisance and had a fight with the rebs
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April—Sunday 3—1864
Retreated back about 12 miles & halted & went into camp and stayed all night
Monday 4
Went on picket at noon. was on the out posts. did not see any rebs
Tuesday 5
Recd a letter from Joseph Bennett from Worcester Box 369 Was relieved from picket at noon
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April—Wednesday 6—1864
Started on the march again B Squadron was the advance guard of the army. did not see any rebs
Thursday 7
Marched about 18 miles skirmished with the rebs the most of the day Had quite a fight at pleasant hill
Friday 8
Had a hard battle & got badly whiped & had to retreat 12 miles. The balls flew like hail stones
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April—Saturday 9—1864
Retreated back with the bagage train Marched all night Got along very slow as the road was very bad for the wagons to get along
Sunday 10
Retreated back to the Red river to the base of our supplies. Marched all of last night
Monday 11
Moved our camp about two miles B Squadron on picket but I stayed in camp
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April—Tuesday 12—1864
Have not done any thing to day. am not very well the Sqdn have not been relieved from picket
Wednesday 13
The Sqdn have not been relieved from picket yet I have stayed in camp to day
Thursday 14
The Sqdn was relieved from picket to day I am excused by the Surgeon to day
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April—Friday 15—1864
B Sqdn on picket to day. I am excused by the Surgeon to day as I do not feel very well. Oh how I want to hear from home
Saturday 16
Have not done any thing to day. Wrote a letter to my Sister Lucia. Our pickets were fired on & a Sergt of the 1st N.H. Cav was killed
Sunday 17
The whole Brigade is on picket to day I stayed in camp. Have been making some beef soup
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Recd a letter from Martha
April—Monday 18—1864
The Brigade have been out on a Scout relieved from picket Col Dudley has been relieved from the command of the 4th Brigade & Col Davis takes command
Tuesday 19
The Brigade have been out on a scout Wrote a letter to Marion Wilcox Stayed in camp all day
Wednesday 20
The whole Brigade is on picket to day The army is on the move to day
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April—Thursday 21—1864
Have not got relieved from picket yet Got relieved from picket at noon. Started to march against the enemy the at 5 oclock
Friday 22
Skirmished with the enemy some in the afternoon at Cloutierville no one was hurt One horse shot
Saturday 23
Had a hard battle at Cain river Frank Ludwig of B Sqdn mortaly wounded
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April—Sunday 24—1864
Marched 17 miles have not seen any rebs yet to day Crossed Cane River in the morning and marched to Henderson hill and went on picket
Monday 25
The rebs made an attack on the picket but were driven back. We retreated in the afternoon and the rebs followed us close untill dark
Tuesday 26
Retreated and skirmished with the rebs all day Went on picket and every thing was quiet during the night
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April—Wednesday 27—1864
The rebs attacked the picket and fired on them all day but did not do any damage. Got relieved from picket at five oclock
Thursday 28
Fought with the rebs all day but no one of the 6th was hurt I am not very well to day
Friday 29
Retreated to Alexandria this morning & went into camp in the woods & I am in hopes we can get some rest On picket to night
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April—Saturday 30—1864
Got relieved from picket at 3 oclock this morning. Started on a scout at seven went across the river and went up 20 miles
May—Sunday 1
Had a fight with the rebs to day and killed a number of them. We lost one killed and seven wounded in our regt
Monday 2
Stayed in camp all day Recd a letter from Hannah
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May—Tuesday 3—1864
Went out with the forage train had a battle with the rebs lost two killed and one wounded
Wednesday 4
Have been writing wrote to Joseph and Lucia and and one to Marion Wilcox Am excused by the Surgeon from duty
Thursday 5
Am excused by the Dr The regt is on picket Wrote to Mary Lizzie Cooper
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May—Friday 6—1864
Have not done anything to day Am excused by the Surgeon
Saturday 7
The regt is on picket some of them have gone with the forage teams I want to hear from home
Sunday 8
Have not done any thing to day Am excused from duty by the Doctor
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May—Monday 9—1864
Moved from Alexandria out to the front a distance of about six miles and went into camp on the Chambers Plantation
Tuesday 10
The rebs have driven our pickets in twice and the Brigade have had to saddle up both times I got a cup of black berries
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The 10th was the last acount of Sergt Bennett
Left Saturday 14 A
Sergt Bennett was killed in action about 15 miles below Alexandria La
Shot through the head at 3. OC
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Memoranda.
Jan 1864
Clothing recd in /64
One uniform jacket
with chevrons
One pr pants with
lace. One wool
Blanket
Feb 1864
One Great Coat
" Poncho
DATABASE CONTENT
| (15288) | DL0915 | Diaries | 1864 |
Tags: African Americans, Animals, Camp/Lodging, Cavalry, Chores, Clothing, Crops (Other), Death (Military), Drilling, Fighting, Home, Homesickness, Hygiene, Illnesses, Mail, Marching, Money, Picket Duty, Planters/Plantations, Prisoners of War, Reading, Rivers, Scouting, Ships/Boats, Supplies
People - Records: 1
- (5315) [writer] ~ Bennett, Nelson W.
SOURCES
Nelson W. Bennett Diary, 1864, DL0915, Nau Collection
